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Re: planning parameters

DEAR THERESA MAU,

I AGREE WITH MOST OF WHAT ALAN RIDER SAYS BELOW AND HAVE 
INSERTED A FEW COMMENTS OF MY OWN IN CAPS

> From:          Alan_Rider@ILLINOVA.COM
> To:            prairie@mallorn.com
> Date:          Wed, 20 Jan 1999 07:53:56 -0600
> Subject:       planning parameters
> Reply-to:      prairie@mallorn.com

> 
> 
> This list can give you good 'educated' answers to your questions.  As a prairie
> 'hobbyist' my answer(s) to your questions are:
>   Why not put prairie every possible place you and your nature center can
> afford?
YES, AS A "NATURE CENTER" THE PRIORITY SHOULD BE ON 
NATIVE PLANT COMMUNITIES WHEREVER POSSIBLE!
> Yes, some areas wouldn't be good for burning.  But I can't believe all the
> native prairies got burned.  (and those areas could be mowed)
I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT ANY TALLGRASS PRAIRIES COULD HAVE 
EXISTED FOR LONG WITHOUT FIRE. THE TREES WOULD HAVE 
SWALLOWED THEM UP. GRAZING WAS ANOTHER IMPORTANT FACTOR, 
WHICH MOWING  - SORT OF - SIMULATES.
> Shape?  who cares?  are you going to surround  the 'right shaped' prairie with
> something like fescue to make the prairie 'look neat' and 'controlled'?
> (I will concede dividing up areas with buffers so one area can be burned,
> leaving habitat intact on unburned areas)
> Soil type and slope?  Yes there are certain species that do better in certain
> environments but I suggest species that are good for your general area will be
> good for most areas in your nature center.  Yes, you could have a wet land area
> that is quite different than a steeply sloped hillside.
THE SOIL AND SLOPE DETERMINE WHAT SPECIES MIX SHOULD GO ON THE
SITE. A LOOK AT PRAIRIE REMNANTS IN YOUR AREA WILL SHOW A
SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT VERSION OF PRAIRIE ON EACH, AND THIS IS 
RELATED TO THE SOIL AND HYDROLOGY, AND ALSO TO THE HISTORY OF 
THE SITE.  AS INDICATED BELOW, NATURAL REMNANTS SHOULD BE 
YOUR MODEL FOR THE PLANTINGS. BE ESPECIALLY WARY OF INDIAN AND 
SWITCH GRASS. THEY SEEM TO BE VERY AGGRESSIVE IN NEW 
PLANTINGS, AND ESTABLISH THEMSELVES WELL WHEN SEEDED IN 
AT 1/3 OR EVEN LESS THE USUAL RECOMMENDED RATE.
> Finally, the 'natural' areas I see here in Central Illinois don't have alot of
> the 'big 3 tall grasses', Big bluestem,Indian grass and Switch grass.  Yes they
> are there but they do not dominate the area.  I see these grasses more where we
> have attempted to 'recreate' the 'tall grass' prairie....
> Looking forward to others responses.....good luck!

> 
> Hello All,
> I am working on my master's thesis at Western Mich. U. and my project is
> to help the local nature center here determine where on their property
> would be the best place to restore a portion of tallgrass prairie.  I've
> been searching the literature a great deal, and thought I'd turn to
> those working in the field for supplemental info.
> 
> The parameters I am considering for choosing my site include the current
> landcover, the soil type, and the slope, primarily.  Other
> considerations include the distance of each plot from teh nearest trail
> or road (for access and maintenance), adjacent vegetation type, aspect,
> and the size.
> 
> Please let me know if you think I am missing something.  Also, has
> anyone personally estabilished a minimum size for a viable prairie?  I
> keep reading that "bigger is better" and that even a tiny plot can be
> started, so maybe min. size is not something to fuss over.
> 
> Lastly, what about shape?  I've read a lot about round, compact reserves
> being best to minimize edge effects, but newer preserve articles are
> reccomending lobed patches.  This research has mainly been in the area
> of forest, though, as far as I can tell.
> 
> I really appreciate your input and advice, thanks!
> Theresa Mau
> 
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> 
James C. Trager
Shaw Arboretum
P.O. Box 38
Gray Summit MO 63039
PH# 314-451-3512
FAX 314-451-5583
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